Enniscorthy-born author Colm Tóibín, probably best known for Brooklyn made into an award-winning film a few years ago, features in a documentary called On Memory’s Shore which will be shown on RTE One tonight (Monday) at 9.35pm.
COLM TÓIBÍN
Filmed in the summer of 2020, the documentary explores his life growing up in Enniscorthy, his writing life in Dublin, living in Barcelona and inspiration gained from the beach at Ballyconnigar, close to Blackwater village, where he researched several books, most memorably The Blackwater Lightship.
Tóibín is universally known for his novel Brooklyn which was adapted for film and picked up three Academy Awards nominations in 2016. Tóibín himself has been nominated three times for one of the English speaking world’s most famous literary trophy- The Booker Prize.
On Memory’s Shore, tonight’s documentary is directed by Brendan J. Byrne and produced by Belfast independent production company BelowTheRadar TV. Worthy of a large viewership and a tribute to one of the best writers to come out of contemporary Ireland – and still immensely proud of his native town and county.
The second day of the Meath and Tara point-to-point took place today (Sunday) at Fairyhouse where Jamie Codd enjoyed a double bringing him onto the 16-winner mark for the season and he moves into second place in the National Point-to-Point Riders’ Championship behind the reigning champion Barry O’Neill.
JAMIE CODD
Codd won on Present Storm trained at Cleariestown by Jonathan Fogarty for his mother, Mary Fogarty, the one and a half lengths winner of the maiden race for five-year-old mares. Codd was in the number one position again after the running of division one of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. He had six lengths to spare on Great Ocean trained by Denis Murphy. Division two went to Doran’s Bridge for Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill by six lengths.
Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill scored with another newcomer Harry Des Ongrais by ten lengths in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. A double for the Kiltealy partnership on the day.
Wexford stables got off to a great success with first timer Fancy Stuff in the Monbeg Farm Racing Partnership colours for Ballindaggin handler Cormac Doyle and rider Liam Gilligan in the four-year-olds mares’ maiden race.
The evolution of Irish higher education where there is a very rapidly changing Irish education landscape and institutes of technology across the country are merging to form a new type of Irish university – the Technological University – and the South-East (TUSE) project is progressing very well and working towards designation by January 1st 2022 – just eight months away.
The opening remarks by Dr Patricia Mulcahy, President of Carlow IT, when she addressed the April meeting of Wexford County Council held with Microsoft Teams consistent with Covid-19 guidelines and protocol last Monday.
DR PATRICIA MULCAHY, President Carlow IT
“Wexford will be an important part of the University of the South-East. There is absolutely no doubt about that,” Dr Mulcahy stressed, who added that Carlow IT are over 25 years in Wexford and have overcome many challenges “but our commitment to Wexford has remained steadfast throughout these years.”
“We have been constrained by the physical facilities that are available in Wexford and we have been engaging with Wexford County Council for a number of years to find the solution. This year there are 991 students enrolled spanning the disciplines of agriculture, business, education, social care, tourism, digital marketing and analytics, art and science, creative computing and digital innovation.” outlined Dr Mulcahy.
Dr Mulcahy said Carlow IT had been looking at several sites over the years and some had reached contract stage. She is pleased that with the help of Wexford County Council a site has been identified that is at an advanced stage of the approval process. It is understood that the proposal is currently with the relevant departments and the outcome is eagerly awaited.
Once the approval to purchase is forthcoming the institute will engage with the owner of the site and the matter is currently “at a sensitive stage pending the approval of agreements.” Capital investment requirements will also be a major factor going forward.
Cllr George Lawlor, who admitted his criticism of the progress, or lack of, made around this development over many years – 6 years since the discussion around the development of a site – asked when can ground be broken on the issue and what type of financial commitment would Carlow IT envisage investing in Wexford?
Cllr Leonard Kelly agreed with Cllr Lawlor’s questions and sentiments and wondered “when we might have a building in place?” He acknowledged support for Carlow IT’s commitment and the work that is already happening.
Cllr Tom Forde was happy that progress was being made and commended Carlow IT’s commitment and like Cllrs Lawlor and Kelly wanted to know when a building might appear?
In reply, Dr Mulcahy said in terms of investment “that is a huge question for every higher education project” and referred to various reports and meetings and regards the “capital investment and the partner consideration which is the borrowing framework” she added that “investment has to be secured before the Wexford Campus itself.”
Regards the timeline, should the investment be forthcoming under a devolved model or a PPP model, assuming that the acquisition site is finalised in 2021, there would be a design team procurement planning to detailed design at tender stage which could take about 18 months to do – then the construction phase – could takes ages! – but all depends on the investment funding.
Dr Mulcahy said the TUSE will be run by “a new organisation” and will command international standing. No contracts are yet signed! Bringing students into the county is critical! Some distance to go!
Cllrs Michael Sheehan Jackser Owens, John Hegarty, Davy Hynes, Jim Codd, Fionntán Ó Suilleabháin, John Fleming and Cathal Byrne also contributed to the debate which generally thanked Dr Mulcahy for her presentation.
Luke Murphy recorded a double on the first day of the Meath & Tara point-to-point at Fairyhouse today (Saturday) to bring his career winning sequence to 45.
LUKE MURPHY had double today at Fairyhouse
Murphy won the opening four-year-old auction maiden race on first timer Corrigeen Rock, owned and trained at Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, by Denis Murphy (no relation). The partnership had four lengths to spare over the runner-up Money Heist for Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill.
Murphy’s second winner came on Trickalight, running in the colours of his parents, John and Miriam Murphy, Corecannon House, Inch, in North Wexford in the five-year-old mares’ maiden race. The verdict was four lengths the mare will be sold.
Pearse Rogan from Caim, Enniscorthy, had his second career winner aboard Ash Tree Meadow by an easy twelve lengths for the Monbeg Syndicate and Donnchadh Doyle, Ballindaggin, in division two of the five-year-old geldings maiden race.
An Garda Siochana in association with Wexford County Council have launched the 5th Annual Wexford Garda Youth Awards for 2021 that acknowledge the brilliance of young people within local communities in County Wexford.
This year due to Covid-19 restrictions there has not been the same opportunity for young people to become involved with activities or projects in comparison with previous years, however, many young people were active on the ground throughout the Covid 19 crisis, volunteering and becoming involved in a variety of projects that supported both the vulnerable in the community, and the frontline services.
Pictured at launch of Wexford Garda Youth Awards 2021; left to right: Sgt Denis Murphy, Supt James Doyle, Cllr. Michael Whelan, Cathaoirleach New Ross Municipal District Council), Chief Supt Denis Ferry and Sgt Colum Matthews.
The awards will be presented in four categories:
INDIVIDUAL AWARD – Making a positive contribution to their community, making it a better place to live.
GROUP AWARD – Group of two or more, making a positive contribution to their community, making it a better place to live.
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Overcome difficult circumstances, defied all the odds and whose commitment deserves recognition.
COMMUNITY SAFETY AWARD – Through a crime prevention or safety initiative/innovation, have made their community a safer place to live.
Anybody can nominate a young person between the age of 13 and 21 years for an award. This year, due to Covid 19, nominations will be completed through an online process, this is available at WexfordCoCo.ie and through all local schools.
closing date for nominations is Monday, May 10th. A Judging Panel will decide upon the Divisional Winners, the Judging Panel will also nominate an individual/ group to represent Wexford for consideration at the National Garda Youth Awards. It is anticipated that the awards will take place towards the end of June 2021 in adherence with all Government Covid 19 guidelines.
For further information please contact Inspector Graham Rowley at Wexford_ds@garda.ie , 053 9165280 or through your local Garda Station.
Upwards of €700,000 is to be invested in water-based activities at the Curracloe Water Sports Activity Centre at Whitegap, near Wexford, with phase one expected to be completed by the summer of 2022.
Public representatives in Wexford Municipal District are welcoming news that is part of an €19million investment announced today (Thursday) by the Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin T.D. The funding will be used to build world-class facility centres at 22 locations across the country where water-based activities are a key visitor attraction.
The significant increase in people enjoying outdoor water-based activities such as kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and open water swimming is expected to continue to grow year on year, and not just during the summer months. This means all-weather changing facilities, secure storage and bathrooms at beaches and inland water spots will be in huge demand.
Colm Neville of the Riverside Park Hotel and Chair of VisitWexford and Chairman of Wexford County Council Cllr Ger Carthy celebrate with ice cream on the beach at Curracloe. (File Pic. July 2020).
Each centre will provide hot showers, changing and toilet facilities, secure storage, induction spaces, equipment washdown and orientation points.
They will be fully wheelchair accessible and built using sustainability best practices such as solar heating panels to meet energy standards.
Minister Martin said; “Ireland is world-class when it comes to providing water-based activities which are enjoyed by local communities and visitors along our stunning coastline, rivers and lakes. We have seen a significant upward trend in people enjoying outdoor water activities over the last year and we know the appeal of the outdoors will continue to grow post-COVID19 so we must ensure the Irish experience meets and exceeds visitor expectations.
Paul Kelly, CEO Fáilte Ireland said; “Our temperate climate can offer year-round quality outdoor experiences. For Ireland to be recognised internationally as a best-in-class activity destination it is critical that we invest in building a sustainable activity infrastructure, compelling visitor experiences and developing the capacity of activity providers.”
Today’s announcement outlines Phase 1 of this scheme, which has an expected completion date of Summer 2022 and we will look at a potential second phase in 2023.”
The memoirs of Miles Byrne (1780-1862) from Monaseed in North Wexford are the inspiration for a new publication called UNITED IRISHMEN – Émigrés of Erinby Colum Ó Ruairc and Stephen McCracken just published.
“I read the memoirs of Miles Byrne and saw a lot of names of casualties recorded on memorials and monuments across Wexford, Wicklow and Carlow but never seen them in any book form or celebrated or commemorated in any way,” Colum Ó Ruairc told WexfordLocal.com, who added; “I looked at the casualties of the rebellion period, not just insurgents, but yeomen, loyalists, the French soldiers, the Crown soldiers and civilians with no politics attached.”
COLUM Ó RUAIRC with his new book UNITED IRISHMEN
Colum has accumulated about 3,500 casualties so far, through the various archives, and he is hopeful that this book will be the first of a trilogy and he expects the work will be of benefit for genealogists and researchers.
The publication is full of mini biographies with plenty of photographs, monochrome and colour, and is an invaluable addition to anybody with an interest in the 1798 Rbellion
Colum Ó Ruairc grew up immersed in the story of the 1798 story in south Co. Wicklow and in July 2017, he established the 1798 Rebellion Casualty Database, with the aim of collecting the names of casualties from the 1798-1803 period.
These casualties include those from the Insurgency, Crown Forces, loyalist civilians and Yeomanry, French soldiers and apolitical. He is also in the process of compiling a database of those who were ordered to be transported to New South Wales 1799-1805 and those impressed into the Crown Forces.
After moving to Antrim 10 years ago historian Stephen McCracken knew he would have to research the United Irishmen. Titles already published by Stephen include The Presbyterians of Magilligan Ancestry Guide 1600-1900 and The Plantation of Ulster Haberdashers/Aghanloo Ancestry Records and The Battle of Antrim The Story of 1798.
AUDIO ADDITION; COLUM Ó RUAIRC talks about his new book, UNITED IRISHMEN
UNITED IRISHMEN Émigrés of Erin by McCracken and Ó Ruairc, illustrated, 270 pages, Springfarm Publishing. ISBN 978-1-9162576-9-6
The Rosslare Port Fest takes place from Tuesday to Thursday, April 20-22 which is part of the Ports, Past and Present programme and seeks to investigate the heritage of Rosslare, Dublin, Pembroke Dock, Fishguard and Holyhead Ports and the Irish Sea crossings, to create common understanding between these communities.
Rosslare Port Fest will comprise the following events;
Tuesday 20th April 7pm; Story Sharing with Ports Past and Present – Three of the project creative practitioners share their stories and project work so far, and we hope that an audience will share their stories of Rosslare.
Wednesday 21st April 4pm; Marine Dimensions – Eco Workshop – Family Friendly event for all ages of nature lover. Learn to identify some creatures found on the beach.
Wednesday 21st April 7pm; The Future of Rosslare – An interesting and exciting sharing of plans, hope and ideas for the future of Rosslare Village and the Port. With contributions from the port representatives and the village improvement group.
Thursday 22nd April 4pm; Make Your Own Rosslare Zine – An online how-to in making zines, the theme of this one will be the Ecology and Heritage of Rosslare, but you will be able to make a zine on any subject you want after this workshop. For older teenagers and adults.
Thursday 22nd April 7pm; Heritage Across the Irish Sea – Roundtable, with representatives from all five ports, discussing their work in preserving port heritage, challenges they face, and history we share across the Irish Sea.
There is frustration at Wexford General Hospital where it has emerged that €250,000 publicly raised for a state-of-the-art MRI machine two and a half years ago has been ignored by the HSE and is left in the Friends of Wexford General Hospital bank account.
Speaking on local radio earlier this week, Director General of the Health Service Executive (HSE) Paul Reid was aware that a private operator, Alliance Medicine, had installed an MRI machine at the hospital providing scans for private and public patients and outpatients.
Cllr George Lawlor is annoyed at this arrangement. “I’m sure the people of Wexford would be shocked to hear that the MRI machine operating here is not the one that was fundraised for!
“The community of Wexford went out in force to fundraise for this, and it seems that the HSE is happier to line the pockets of a private company than proof the hospital and provide what was promised to the people of this county,” said Cllr Lawlor, who added; “It is an absolute scandal and a slap in the face to the people of Wexford who gave so generously.”
18 years old Festy Ebosele who played his football with Moyne Rangers made his first league debut with Derby County in their 1-0 defeat by table toppers Norwich City last Saturday.
FESTY EBOSELE in the Republic of Ireland strip (Pic; Derby Telegraph)
The young Enniscorthy-born right back arrived off the bench in the 84th minute.
Last January Festy made his first-team debut for Derby County, coming on in the 64th minute, in the FA Cup 3rd round game against non-league side Chorley, who won 2-0, in freezing conditions at Victory Park.
The talented teenager played his early games with Moyne Rangers, played under-17 for the Republic of Ireland and transferred from Bray Wanderers to Derby County which is managed by the great Wayne Rooney.
His former club members and sporting friends in Enniscorthy are following his progress with interest and wishing him well in his professional football career.
WexfordLocal.com 